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  Discussion on Rescue Prejudice?
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Member:
Fototrop

Posted on Saturday, Jan 8, 2005 - 9:00 pm:

I will be upfront here. I'm a avid rescue horse supporter. That said, I was talking with a lifelong horsewoman the other day. Her daughter owns a reputable riding stable where my daughter takes riding lessons. This woman remarked that rescue horses "all have problems and are most likely dangerous". I didn't argue with her as it wasn't the time or place. But her daughter leases a few horses and has boarders who lease horses from a local horse dealer who buys, sells and leases up and down the east coast. At any given time he has literally hundreds of horses. One parent described going through 5 different lease horses for her daughter in one year. 3 had health/soundness issues and 2 had attitude issues. Yet these people who have branded rescue horses as "having something wrong with them" feel good about dealing with this guy because he will always pick up the horse and deliver another, no questions asked. But what about the horses themselves? What's the difference between these horses and rescue horses? You have no idea where these horses are coming from or their history. They just might have some dirty little secrets in their closets, too.

The more horse people I talk to, the more I hear this same thinking. If a horse is with a rescue organization, there is something wrong with it and you should stay away from it. And then there's the feeling that people who adopt rescue horses don't have any money and just want a cheap horse that they have no commitment to. Well, I have 2 adopted horses by choice, because, I know that there are perfectly wonderful horses who end up down on their luck that I am completely commited to. The rescue organizations I've dealt with require references and site checks. You're unlikely to get through if you have no horse experience, knowledge or commitment.

But back to the horses. We have to admit that horses are horses and horse dealers are horse dealers and there's plenty of bad deals to be had out there that have nothing to do with rescue. In fact, the older better established rescue organizations have vetted the horses, have kept them long enough to determine their training level and their temperament and are commited to finding the right owner for the horse so that it doesn't end up back in rescue. They match riding style and skill level. There are also reputable breeders and trainers that place horses with these rescues, so you can get really nice horses at reasonable prices and what's wrong with that?

Let's give rescue horses a chance. They really don't have any more baggage than the rest of us.
Pam
Member:
Mickey01

Posted on Monday, Jan 10, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

I'm with you. I currently have two rescue horses. And they are both wonderful. They may have health issues, but those were disclosed up front so I knew what I was getting. As far as disposition and willingness to please, I wouldn't trade them! Over the years, I have had five other rescue horses, and they were all good horses that just ended up in bad situations.
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Monday, Jan 10, 2005 - 1:05 pm:

Hi Pamela

Where I live there is a local Standardbred rescue organization. They do a wonderful job looking after and retraining the horses that they take in and they do background checks on all prospective homes.

It's interesting that you have run into so much prejudice in your area. I haven't heard any negative comments here. Just the opposite in fact as most folks comment that it's a benevolent act to take in a rescue horse and I agree wholeheartedly.
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Monday, Jan 10, 2005 - 2:53 pm:

I have rescued 6 horses in the last year 3 were from local idiocy in my local area, and 3 were from a reportedly good rescue organization. I expect rescue horses to have their problems and need to be quarantined.

But the organization didn't disclose the fact that these horses had strangles or other ailments. This was 3 months ago we are still combating the strangles, plus severe ringworm, and lice. They will be on their way to getting better it is the nature of these ailments to take a while sometimes to get over especially when the immune systems are not so hot.

I got off easy several other adopters lost their horses because of severe strangels. 300 or more horses were adopted out at the time i chose to adopt and many of us have had a bad experience with this rescue group.

I believe the organization is being investigated now. Mostly because health issues weren't and other things weren't disclosed. I adopted 3 grade quarterhorses which have turned out to be a small pony, an arab cross, and a racking horse of some type. The good thing though is I save 3 babies from slaughter.

As with anything i guess you need to research your prospective rescue organization, for the good ones you may pay a little more but, hopefully won't have much of a headache.

I think that there is so much prejudice because 1 bad story gets more warrant than 10 good stories.
New Member:
Pepette

Posted on Thursday, Feb 2, 2006 - 9:28 pm:

I have volunteered for a very reputable rescue for over 10 years now. This particular rescue is the model of excellence. The horses that they rescue are observed, fed, vetted, and worked with for a few months (sometimes more) before they are put up for adoption. They do their best to fix any health or personality issues, and if they cannot fix it, the horse stays at the rescue to live out its life. The rescue gets sponsors to help fund the cost of caring for the horses, and most people donate feed and services. It's quite large. On the other hand, I have adopted horses from 2 other rescues who had good intentions, but were not as well established/organized, and both the horses ended up being somewhat dangerous after they got healthier, and we couldn't keep them. I found out that one of them only had the horse for days before letting me adopt it. That was not enough time for them to know the horse. I think it depends on the rescue.

Actually, the dealers are the ones to be feared!!! I have gotten 2 horses from a dealer here. She buys from the auctions, brings the horses home, has somebody ride them for a day or two, then grooms them up (including dyeing hair), takes digital pics, and throws them up on the internet as being safe for anyone to ride, and great prospects for various disciplines. Many of the ones she has are unhealthy and underweight, but she knows how to make them feel better, look better, and behave when people come to look at them ("He just needs a good home and groceries," drugs, and lots of riding the morning before a potential customer arrives). She offers a guarantee, but she talks you into keeping the horse longer so it can "settle in" until you run past the return guarantee date. One of the horses was very dangerous in the aisle ways and had to be drugged to be worked with, and the other is still bucking after 4 months of training. The auction houses she buys from are proven to pull coggins on some horses the day they sell them, so there is a chance that the auction horse could have been exposed to EIA while there. Also, some of them have extremely heavy parasite burdens, and now EHV is prevalent on areas of the east coast. I would stay away from anyone who turns horses for a quick profit.

I would recommend seeking out an established, reputable rescue, and support it. Ask a lot of questions, and see if they grill you, too (if not, then they don't care as much as they pretend to care). Ask how long they have had the horse, notice if it is a healthy weight and has a glossy coat. Ask them about the training that the horse has received since it was there.

PMU foals are another great way to go. I have friends that have absolutely AWESOME horses that they got this way!
Member:
Vablonde

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 7:35 am:

Another way to look at it, is, we wouldn't need to rescue horses if it weren't for people mistreating them!! I have rescued four horses over the past few years, who by industry standards were destined for "Grand Prix" as youngsters, but because some "trainer" said something negative about the horse, they were literally left to starve. Not to mention the behavioral problems that ultimately led to their demise as a result of the owners indifference to them. Or on the other hand a former Prix St. Georges horse who was so badly neglected that putting him down crossed my mind at one point...Blown tendons, bad backs, etc.....
There are plenty of rescue horses out there and they aren't always from rescue organizations. At least there are people out there who are trying to make a difference and help horses who would otherwise not have a chance. I applaud the efforts of rescue organizations, noting that not all are created equal. :-)
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 11:11 am:

Hmmm... let me give you my take on this first hand... I am sending a horse to rescue, as a matter of fact today. The gentleman is on his way to pick her up. It's my amanda in my profile box.

She is a thoroughbred off the track. I have had her for 8 years. I opted for rescue after i put an ad or two in the papers for months, and never got a phone call. Not one. The time has come for her to move on and this is my only recourse. and its killing me. and this post about your friend saying this about rescues makes me even more upset. Is that what everyone thinks? rescue horses are just bad? My take on it is totally different.

There is nothing wrong with her physically. Nor mentally, she is just not working out FOR ME>I've done everything. But obviously not enough. Because she and i just aren't working out. if you look up old posts i have mentioned my trials and tribulations with her for years. She and i just never clicked. And i haven't the property to properly care for her. She is just too much a HORSE in every respect. She is not a backyard horse, somewhere else though she might be. And young enough that if i don't do this now she might never get a second chance. i know for a fact i don't like riding her. I like small, short, quiet dead ass broke horses. It took me 8 years to admit to that.

I chose a rescue over a dealer for very important reasons. One i want what is best for the horse, damn the money. I don't care about that. So saying negative things about people that put their horses up for rescue is very judgemental. NOBODY knows the history of the horse, and how it got there, But the horse.

A rescue (legit) has a higher purpose. Dealers don't. yes there might be money to be made on an adoption of a rescue horse, but it goes back into the rescue. This rescue is attached to an orphanage. So not only will it help the horses, it does it for kids as well. With a dealer, the money is pure profit. I chose a rescue that is 65 years old... I think they are pretty stable. and i'm betting their reputation is on the line, when they rehab the saleable horses... does a dealer? from the ones i have met, that answer is no.

I found a rescue that will take her in with the caveat if she isn't ridable she will go to a broodmare farm. But that isn't the case here. She is perfectly ridable. Just not by me. They said they put minimum 30 days on her. I believe with that training she will be put up for adoption and resold. To a proper home. She isn't what i call a finished horse. I got frustrated and put her on pasture. But she has 3 good years of dressage. I just never showed her more than a couple times. I know she will be placed honestly.

So what is the right thing to do? do i send her to auction and get money? Call a dealer who might just place her anywhere? or do i call a rescue see if they are interested? I chose option 3...

I consider this horse a gem. And will be a great horse for the right person. Hopefully the rescue will place her appropriately. something i could never do because i don't have the reach and respect this organization does...

So no all horses from the rescue aren't all that bad. I know this firsthand.
New Member:
Queennil

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 12:35 pm:

After volunteering at a horse rescue, I have come to the conclusion that most people just have no idea what they're talking about when they talk about rescue horses. Every once in a while, we'll get a horse that is trained through 3rd level dressage! Not to mention the many hunters/jumpers that are being retired from jumping. My horse is an OTTB from the rescue, and she is wonderful. The rescue that I work for is no-kill and accepts all horses, so we do get our share of pasture mates, but we do everything we can to keep them fat, happy, and sane. A lot of horse rescues will only accept horses that are ridable, and I think this is completely bogus.
Member:
Kari

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 10:18 pm:

I'm not familiar with the rescue organizations but if I read joj and Cynthia's posts correctly, the rescue organizations accept horses that are not abused but simply do not fit the needs of their owners.
I have a 4yr. old gelding that just will not make a western pleasure show horse and is too small for a english prospect (15.2). Rather than send him to a sale or to a less than desirable buyer I am considering donating him to the Un. of Tn., Martin branch for their equestrian program.
Has anyone ever followed this path as it appears to be a good cause and would probably allow a tax deduction.
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 11:05 pm:

Cyntia my girl was showed 2nd level and starting on third. flying lead changes and all. I just think that if money isn't an issue than a rescue is a great place to send a horse. It will help offset the cost of the horses that can't be resold. My horse with good training hopefull can pay for 3 more with its sale.

There will always be abused horses. And some will come out of it fine with some solid work. Some won't. A dangerous horse is just that. and should never be put back in the system. Dealers don't care about this part. A rescue does.

S. T. i would check with their policy. Once they are finished with the horse in a few years what do they do with him? And why not research a few rescues in your area? They will jump on a good horse for the exact reasons i gave above.

Ps. she is gone. totally was crying this whole afternoon, but she jumped on that trailer. and never once looked back at me. She just didn't belong with me. and if i want the gentleman who took her will keep me posted with what she is doing and if she goes somewhere as a permanent home.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Saturday, Feb 4, 2006 - 12:04 am:

Thinking of you tonight, joj. I know it is a relief for you to not have to worry about that mare anymore . . . at least, not in the way you WERE worrying about her. Sounds like both she and you were stressed the way things were. I hope your life will be more peaceful, now, and that she will find the perfect place to be herself.
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